Guinomi By Watanabe Aiko

[sabi]

As a student of early iron tsuba and the Momoyama period as a whole, I suppose it was only a matter of time before I made the jump to ceramics.

 

A few months ago I picked up a couple books on the subject (shocker, they were CHEAP!), and was instantly hooked. Drawn to the rustic simplicity of Bizen, bold and free spirited Oribe and Seto, and my favorite; the slouchy, irregular yet sublimely powerful wares of Iga and Shigaraki.

 

My interest in the latter took off, and it wasn't long before I yearned for a piece of my own. A while back I took a liking to nigori sake, so what better place to start than a guinomi!

 

This cup measures 2.5" tall, 2" wide and holds just under 3oz of the drink of your choice. I have used it frequently over the past couple months, and as wonderful it is to admire, it's even better in action. A good guinomi must have both of these qualities IMO. This cup is easy in the hand, drinks well from any position around the lip and has zero wobble.

 

The aesthetics of this piece encompass everything that I fell for in Iga works. While small and unable to command the kind of power you would get from a mizusashi or even a chawan, this little guy has an amazing presence and the spirit of the artist is in clear view.

 

The cup was laid down on it's side where the red area remains untouched by the natural ash glaze. There are scorch marks left behind by two seashells that were burned during the firing. The shells are also the cause of the copper orange hues that form a halo around them, due to the salt content. Light green glaze covers the rest of the body, and pools to a stunning dark green tombo no me (dragonfly eye). Peach and sunset tones line the interior and provide a beautiful contrast against hazy white, unfiltered nigori.

 

Above all of this, I think the form of the cup steals the show. From every angle, the quintessential Iga slouchiness is present but never bordering on sloppy or careless. The overall mood is strong and dignified despite its intentional lean.

 

 

Here is a quick write up on Aiko San as well for those who are interested:

 

http://www.artisticnippon.com/product/igayaki/watanabe_aiko/watanabe_aiko_article1.html

 

Thanks for taking the time to stop by and reading my unnecessarily long write up about a single cup. Doing this helps my pursuit of understanding ceramics, which has only just begun!

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Carlo Giuseppe Tacchini]

Nice. I like it.

[Brian]

Thank you for going into some specifics and detailed explanations for those of us who know little about this field. You certainly did a bit to "bring it to life" for us.

[sabi]

Thanks Brian, I'm glad you found it to be informative!

 

I'm very much a novice in this field, but pottery is a hell of a lot easier to get a grasp on than tosogu!

[Aloof Pegasus]

Nice one Evan!

 

One of her yunomi from 2015 for company.

[sabi]

Stunning! You must direct me to the secret cove where you've unearthed all of these marvelous pieces!

[Bernard]

Here is a small tokkuri (9,5 x 9cm) by Aiko Watanabe.

 

Bernard D.

[Aloof Pegasus]

That's lovely. Great find.

[sabi]

Firing crack detail, a defining characteristic of Iga ware.

 

 

 

[ken kata]

Keep Posting Evan

I too, love Japanese Chawan and Yunomi and other Japanese Ceramics.

[Toryu2020]

Like Evan says, "its just a matter of time"

I have a basket of ochoko and guinomi but nothing this nice. Still it seems a study of Nihonto leads to all good things Nihon.

Bought this tsuba because it reminds one of Bizen-yaki...

-t

[sabi]

Thanks Alton!  I have one recent acquisition that I'll be posting soon!

 

 

Thomas,

 

You're spot on, the aesthetic qualities are intertwined so it's very easy to be attracted to another form of art.  My interest was sparked by the relationship between old iron tsuba and ceramics, and it blew up from there.  That's a lovely tsuba you have there and it totally radiates with Bizen vibes - wonderful color and depth.